Softwr

Software · head to head

Bitwarden vs ExpressVPN

Bitwarden logo

Bitwarden

Software

Open source password management for everyone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ExpressVPN logo

ExpressVPN

Software

High-speed, secure, and anonymous VPN service

From
$6.67/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Bitwarden has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Bitwarden the integrated TOTP authenticator, encrypted file attachments, vault health reports and Emergency Access are all withheld from the free plan and need Premium at $1.65 per month; ExpressVPN the App Store listing (seller Expressco Services, LLC) states subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the billing period, and that any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited on purchase
  • They diverge on capability: Bitwarden covers Unlimited password storage, ExpressVPN covers Lightway protocol.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bitwarden and ExpressVPN actually diverge.

Attributes where Bitwarden and ExpressVPN differ
AttributeBitwardenExpressVPN
Starting priceFree$6.67/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, CliWeb, Desktop, Mobile, Api
Founded20162009

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Bitwarden

  • Unlimited password storage
  • Cross-platform sync
  • Secure password sharing
  • Password generator
  • Two-factor authentication
  • Encrypted file attachments
  • Vault health reports
  • Emergency access

Only in ExpressVPN

  • Lightway protocol
  • TrustedServer technology
  • Network Lock kill switch
  • Split tunneling
  • No activity logs
  • Private DNS
  • Speed test
  • MediaStreamer

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Bitwarden

  • Personal password managementnot ExpressVPN
  • Team credential sharingnot ExpressVPN
  • Enterprise securitynot ExpressVPN
  • Compliance requirementsnot ExpressVPN
  • Developer secrets managementnot ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN

  • Vpnnot Bitwarden
  • Privacynot Bitwarden
  • Streamingnot Bitwarden

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Bitwarden

  • The integrated TOTP authenticator, encrypted file attachments, vault health reports and Emergency Access are all withheld from the free plan and need Premium at $1.65 per month
  • Free accounts can share vault items with one other Bitwarden user and no more
  • File storage is capped at 5 GB on Premium and 5 GB personal plus 5 GB family on the Families plan
  • Two-step login accepts up to 10 hardware security keys per account
  • The Families plan is capped at 6 people, so a seventh member means moving to a Teams subscription at $4 per user per month

ExpressVPN

  • The App Store listing (seller Expressco Services, LLC) states subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the billing period, and that any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited on purchase
  • The same listing caps a single ExpressVPN subscription at 14 simultaneous device connections

Pricing, plan by plan

Bitwarden

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited passwords
    • 2 users (organizations)
    • Sync all devices
  • Teams$3/month
    • Everything in Free
    • Unlimited users
    • Shared collections
  • Enterprise$6/month
    • Everything in Teams
    • SSO integration
    • Enterprise policies

ExpressVPN

$6.67/month
  • 1 Month$12.95/month
    • 8 devices
    • 94 countries
    • Unlimited bandwidth
  • 12 Months$6.67/month
    • All features
    • 3 months free
    • Best value
  • 6 Months$9.99/month
    • All features
    • 30-day guarantee

Which should you pick?

Choose Bitwarden if

  • You need unlimited password storage.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, Cli.
  • You also want cross-platform sync.
Bitwarden review

Choose ExpressVPN if

  • You need lightway protocol.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api.
  • You also want trustedserver technology.
ExpressVPN review

Questions people ask

Is Bitwarden or ExpressVPN better?
Neither clearly leads. Bitwarden starts at Free and ExpressVPN at $6.67/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bitwarden or ExpressVPN?
Bitwarden has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Bitwarden and $6.67/month for ExpressVPN.
Does Bitwarden or ExpressVPN run on more platforms?
Bitwarden runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, Cli. ExpressVPN runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api.
Can I use Bitwarden for free?
Yes. Bitwarden has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. ExpressVPN starts at $6.67/month.
What is Bitwarden best used for?
Bitwarden is most often used for personal password management, team credential sharing, enterprise security, compliance requirements. Of those, personal password management and team credential sharing are not what ExpressVPN is typically brought in for.
What can Bitwarden do that ExpressVPN cannot?
Bitwarden covers Unlimited password storage, Cross-platform sync, Secure password sharing, Password generator. ExpressVPN covers Lightway protocol, TrustedServer technology, Network Lock kill switch, Split tunneling.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Bitwarden

More on ExpressVPN

Keep looking

Other head to heads